The list is heavy on industrial products such as steam turbines and iron girders.

The new taxes are in addition to 25% tariffs that took effect on July 6 on $34 billion (£26bn) in Chinese products.

China has responded with retaliatory tariffs of its own.

The administration is readying tariffs of up to 25% on an additional $200 billion (£155bn) in Chinese products.

The world’s two biggest economies are caught up in a trade dispute over Washington’s allegations that China uses predatory tactics, including outright cybertheft, in a drive to supplant US technological supremacy.